Post puller



A. L. FISHER POST FULLER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 5, 1968 m #9 6 mm mom mm 81 d9 mm V\ u r N\ gm .3 mm 2 mm mm .0 1. i? v Q i I w v WW WV\ 0 r mm m cm N- QR n E 1 2 m3 I m! 7 93 m1 wm k n it N? NE m mm v.2 1 E v 1 N 3 mm wt Q2 m- Q: m9 1 w? H E l/Vl/EN TOR. ARTHUR L. FISHER m, agar/M44 A r torneys A. L. FISHER Aug. 25, 1970 POST FULLER 5 Sheets$heet 2 Filed Sept. 5, 1968 //v VEN row. A I? THUR L. FISHER. 8y M, 1 MM A f rorneys United States Patent "ice 3,525,502 POST PULLER Arthur L. Fisher, 112 MarVel Drive, Butler, Pa. 16001 Filed Sept. 3, 1968, Ser. No. 756,979

Int. Cl. E21b 19/00 US. Cl. 254--30 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An attachment for a self-propelled vehicle for use in pulling posts from the ground is disclosed. The attachment comprises a frame structure detachably securable to chassis of the vehicle. A slide structure is reciprocally supported by the frame structure for movement laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the chassis and a vertical mast is supported on one end of the slide structure for movement therewith and with its lower end being at a level above the ground surface on which the vehicle is supported. An extensible frame assembly is provided adjacent the lower end of the mast which is normally raised above the ground surface in a transporting position and extensible from its normal position to an extended ground engaging position to bear the force of pulling a post from the ground. There is also provided on the mast a puller frame assembly which is movable up and down with respect to the mast and which has engagement means thereon for effecting detachable engagement thereof with a post to be pulled. A common power means is operatively connected to the puller and extensible frame assemblies which is constructed and arranged to first move the extensible frame assembly into its ground engaging position when it is desired to pull a post from the ground and then move the puller frame assembly upwardly with respect to the mast and thus pull a post from the ground when the puller frame is engaged with a post.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to an apparatus for pulling posts. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a self-propelled vehicle adapted for pulling from the ground steel fence posts used on the guard fences of highways, but applicable also to pulling other fence posts, either wood or metal.

Description of the prior art It may be explained that steel posts are generally replacing wooden posts on the guard fences of highways. These steel posts are generally H-beam sections that are driven into the ground. In my copending application Ser. No. 749,853 filed Aug. 2, 1968, I have disclosed an apparatus for driving such posts into the ground. As explained in said copending application, there is a particular problem with such posts, due to the fact that especially in cold climates, the metal readily conducts cold and heat deep into the ground, intensifying the freezing and thawing to loosen the posts and cause them to heave and move out of line. Also, these posts are at times moved out of line by vehicles hitting them or the guard fences attached to the posts. As a result of these and other maintenance factors, those posts which are to be reset or those damaged to the extent that they must be replaced with new posts must be pulled from the ground in :which they are imbeded.

Post pullers have heretofore been constructed for use on tractors or other self-propelled vehicles as for example those disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,634,092 wherein the post puller is arranged at the front of a tractor and US.

3,525,502 Patented Aug. 25, 1970 Pat. No. 3,129,924 wherein the post puller is arranged at the rear of the tractor. In either construction, however, it may require considerable manuvering of the vehicle to get the puller apparatus in position to engage a selected post and with the type post pullers as shown in these patents, the force of pulling a post from the ground is borne by the vehicle causing considerable stress to be placed thereon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, my invention provides an attachment for a selfpropelled vehicle comprising a frame structure detachably securable to the chassis of the vehicle. There is a slide structure supported on this frame structure for movement laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the chassis and means for elfecting such movement. A vertical mast is supported on one end of the slide structure for movement therewith and the lower end of the mast is at a level above the ground surface on which the vehicle is supported. An extensible frame assembly is arranged on the mast for movement from a normally retracted transporting position above the ground surface to an extended ground surface engaging position. There is also a puller frame assembly arranged on the mast for movement up and down with respect thereto and the puller frame assembly has engagement means thereon for eifecting de tachable engagement thereof with a post to be pulled. A common power means is operatively connected to the puller and extensible frame assemblies to effect move ment thereof.

With this arrangement, the vehicle may travel along the road close to the guard fence with the slide structure retracted to a position where the mast is close in to the side of the vehicle and when the vehicle is along side a post to be pulled, the slide structure, if necessary, can be extended to position the mast adjacent the post thereby eliminating the maneuvering of the vehicle necessary in certain prior constructions in order to place the puller in position to engage a selected post. Also, the common operating means for effecting movement of the puller and extensible frame assemblies is constructed and arranged to be selectively operable whereby the extensible frame assembly can be first moved into its ground engaging position to bear the force of pulling a post from the ground and thereafter move the puller frame assembly upwardly with respect to the mast and thus pull a post from the ground when the puller frame assembly is engaged with the post. Because of this arrangement, none of the pulling force is transmitted to the vehicle as in the case of certain prior constructions.

Further advantages and capabilities of the invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing only a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the front end of the self-propelled post puller according to the present invention illustrating the same in pulling a post from the ground;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the self-propelled post puller shown in FIG. 1 but omitting the post seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the frame and slide structures illustrating the structural interrelationships of the frame and slide structures with the chassis of the vehicle;

FIG. 4 is a view in side elevation looking into the right side in FIG. 3 with the slide structure being shown in broken lines;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but omitting the vehicle and illustrating the post pulling attachment on a larger scale;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a view in side elevation of FIG. 5

FIG. 8 is a detailed view in front elevation of the post engaging clamp shown in FIG. 1 with its parts shown in a post engaging position;

FIG. 9 is a view in side elevation of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but illustrating the clamp parts as they would be when the clamp is being released from the post.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, 10 designates generally a self-propelled vehicle, here shown as a utility tractor of known construction having front and rear wheels 12 and 14, respectively, and parallel longitudinal beams 16 comprising the chassis of the tractOI.

Supported on the chassis of the tractor is a frame structure 18 which is best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. The frame structure 18 comprises longitudinally extending parallel side members 20, spaced slide rails 22 which are oppositely disposed and suspended beneath the chassis beams 16 and which extend laterally at right angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the chassis, guide rails 24 positioned above the rails 22, and bracing members 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 31 which provide stability and rigidity to the frame structure 18. The structural members of which the frame structure 18 is made up comprise rigid channel and angle iron sections which are joined together as by welding. The frame structure 18 is detachably securable to the chassis or beams 16 of the tractor as by bolting the side members to the beams 16 so that if the transmission, for example, needs any attention, the frame structure 18 can be dropped from the chassis by removing a few bolts and pulled out from under the tractor. The chassis on tractors of the type with which this invention is concerned are usually the same, but adapters may be necessary to adapt the frame structure 18 as an attachment to any particular make of tractor or other vehicle.

A slide structure is reciprocally supported by the frame structure 18 for movement laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the chassis when the frame structure 18 is secured thereto. The slide structure 30 is supported by the rails 22 for movement therealong crosswise or transversely of the chassis of the tractor and it is guided in its movement by the guide rails 24. The slide structure 30 is thus suspended from the chassis 16 intermediate the ends of the tractor and between the front and rear wheels thereof. Slide structure 30 comprises spaced side members 32 connected by cross members 34 and diagonal bracing member 36. There is a power means or hydraulic cylinder and piston unit 38 having a cylinder 40 connected to a plate 42 on frame structure 18 and a piston rod 44 connected to a plate 46 on slide structure 30 for effecting movement of the slide structure 30 back and forth along the slide rails 22 from a retracted to an extended position with respect to the tractor 10.

Returning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, at the off-side or outside of the slide structure 30 there is supported thereon an elongated, rigid vertical mast 48. The mast 48 is supported on the slide structure 30 for movement therewith and with its lower end 50' spaced above the ground surface on which the tractor 10 is supported. The mast 48 is thus positioned between the front and rear wheels of the tractor close in to the side of the tractor when the slide structure 30 is retracted and moved outwardly away from the chassis of the tractor as the slide structure 30 moves towards its extended position.

The mast 48 comprises a pair of vertically disposed I-I-beam sections 52 and 54 connected in spaced substantially parallel relation by angle iron cross bracing members 56 and 58, the vertical portions of which are welded on the rear sides of sections 52 and 54, and fiat bar welded onto the front surfaces of the sections 52, 54. There is also provided on the rear side of the mast 48 an angle iron mounting bracket 60. The vertical portion 62 of bracket is secured to the H-beam sections 52 and 54 as by welding and the horizontal portion 64 is provided with openings through which bolts 66 pass for securing the mast 48 to the slide structure 30. A pair of bracing members 68 and 70 are secured at their upper ends to the mast 48 as at 72 and 74 and are secured to the slide structure 30 at their lower ends as at 76 and 78.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 5-7, the web portions 80 and 82 of the H-beam sections 52 and 54, respectively, are disposed in opposed substantially parallel relation thereby providing a pair of opposed inner guide channels 84 and 86 and a pair of outer guide channels 88 and 90 on the mast 48. A pair of abutments 92 and 94 are provided in the inner guide channels 84 and 86 and the purpose of these abutments will appear hereinafter.

Adjacent the lower end 50 of the mast 48 there is an extensible frame assembly 96. This extensible frame assembly 96 is arranged on the mast 48 for movement from a normally retracted transporting position above the ground surface to an extended ground surface engaging position. In FIG. 1, 2, 5 and 7 the extensible frame assembly 96 is seen in its extended position.

The extensible frame assembly 96 comprises a U- shaped frame made up of channel sections and has a horizontal portion 98 and an opposed pair of upwardly extending arm portions 100 and 102 at the opposite ends of the horizontal portion 98, and a pressure foot 104 pivotally secured to the horizontal portion 98 of the U-shaped frame and depending therefrom. The upwardly extending arm portions 100 and 102 are received in the outer guide channels 88 and 90, respectively, which guide the extensible frame assembly 96 in its movement from its retracted to its extended position and when in its extended position, the pressure foot 104 rests on the ground surface. There is also provided a pair of end plates 105 to close the lower ends of the outer guide channels.

A puller frame assembly, shown generally at 106, is arranged on the mast 48 for movement up and down with respect thereto. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the puller frame assembly 106 is shown in its up position and in FIGS. 5 and 7 in its down position. The puller frame assembly 106 comprises an inverted U-shaped frame made up of box beam sections and has a horizontal portion 108 and a pair of downwardly extending arms 110 and 112. The puller frame assembly 106 is positioned between the H- beam sections 52 and 54 with the outer side portions or arms 110 and 112 thereof being received in the inner guide channels 84 and 86 which guide the puller frame assembly 106 in its up and down movement with respect to the mast 48.

An engagement means or puller block assembly 114 is secured to the puller frame structure 106 for effecting detachable engagement of the puller frame assembly 106 with a post to be pulled from the ground. The puller block assembly 114 comprises an outer plate 116 provided with a slot 118, a pair of inwardly extending channel sections 120 and 122 which are secured as by welding to the arms 110 and 112 and a pair of short sections 124 and 126 which are secured as by welding to the channel sections 120 and 122. The sections 124 and 126 slide over the outer faces of the H-beam sections 52 and 54 as the puller frame assembly moves up and down with respect to the mast 48 and further guide the puller frame assembly 106 in its movement. A pair of upwardly extending braces 128 and 130 are joined at their upper ends to the horizontal portion 108 of the puller frame assembly 106 and at their lower ends to the channel sections 120 and 122.

To effect movement of the puller and extensible frame assemblies, there is provided a common power means 132. The common power means 132 comprises a hydraulic cylinder and piston unit which is disposed between the puller and extensible frame assemblies. The power means 132 has an upwardly extending piston rod 134 operatively connected to the puller frame assembly 106 as at 136 and a cylinder 138 operatively connected to the extensible frame assembly 96 as at 140. The opposite ends of the cylinder 138 are arranged to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure such that fluid under pressure may be introduced into either end thereof and apply pressure on either side of the piston of the unit 132. The same is true of the piston and cylinder unit 38. Fluid under pressure can be supplied and drained on each side of the piston of each cylinder and piston unit 38 and 132, and each unit is supplied with fluid under pressure through flexible conduits as shown by a pump 142 and from a source of hydraulic fluid 144 on the tractor 10. The hydraulic controls for the units 38 and 132 are grouped in a control consol 146 just forward of the steering Wheel 148.

In order to effect engagement of the puller frame assembly 106 to a post 149 to be pulled from the ground, a chain 150 is secured to the puller block assembly 114 by having one of its links positioned in the slot 118. The free end of the chain 150 has a clamp 152 thereon and this clamp is best seen in FIGS. 8-10. The clamp 152 has a slot 154 for receiving the flanges or the central web of the post 114, a spring loaded pawl 15, and a cam lever 158. The spring 160 biases the pawl 156 downwardly to the position shown in FIG. 8. As a result of this arrangement, when the clamp 152 is slid down over the Web of the post, the pawl 156 pivots at 162 allowing the post to fully enter the slot 154 and the serrations 164 at the end of the pawl 156 bite into web when the clamp is pulled upwardly by the chain 150 thus firmly securing the clamp to the post. In order to release the clamp from the post, the lever 158 is moved downwardly and this raises the pawl 156 as shown in FIG. 10, thereby releasing the clamp from the post.

The operation of the self-propelled post puller just described is as follows: Having first selected a post to be pulled from the ground, and, if necessary, having extended the slide 30 to position the mast 48 adjacent the post, the chain 150 is engaged with the puller block 114 and the clamp 152 is slid down over the web or flanges of the post 149. The puller frame assembly will be in its down position and the depending arms will be positioned against the abutment means 92 and 94 as shown in FIG. 5. Fluid under pressure is then introduced into the lower end of cylinder 138 and because the piston rod 134 is effectively connected to the post which is imbedded in the ground, the fluid under pressure acting on the underside of the piston and against the cylinder 138 will first apply a moving force to the cylinder 138 and thus cause the cylinder 138 and the extensible frame assembly 96 to move downwardly into its ground engaging position to bear the force of pulling the post. When the extensible frame assembly 96 is in contact with the ground and further fluid under pressure is introduced into the lower end of the cylinder 138, the piston together with the piston rod 134 will then move upwardly under the force being applied thereto by the fluid, thus moving the puller frame assembly upwardly away from the abutment means 92, 94, and thus cause the post to be pulled from the ground. After the post has been pulled from the ground and in order to lower the puller frame assembly and raise the extensible frame assembly into its transporting position, fluid under pressure is then introduced into the upper end of the cylinder 138. This will cause the piston and piston rod to move downwardly thus causing the puller frame assembly to move downwardly until the arms 110, 112 abut the abutment means 92, 94 and this prevents the puller frame assembly from moving further down in the channels 84, 86. Thereafter upon the further introduction of fluid into the upper end of the cylinder 138, the cylinder will begin to move upwardly thus causing the extensible frame assembly 96 to move to its retracted position above the ground surface.

While I have described the mast 48 as being mounted on the slide structure 30, it can of course be considered as a separate attachment for a self-propelled vehicle and be easily mounted at the front, rear or side of the vehicle, but the arrangement shown and decsribed is preferred.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

I claim:

1. An attachment for a self-propelled vehicle for use in pulling posts from the ground comprising:

(a) an elongated mast constructed and arranged to be vertically supported on a vehicle with its lower end spaced above the ground surface on which the vehicle is supported,

(b) an extensible frame assembly arranged on the mast for movement from a normally retracted position above the ground surface to an extended ground surface engaging position,

(c) a puller frame assembly arranged on the mast for movement up and down with respect thereto, the puller frame assembly having engagement means thereon for effecting detachable engagement thereof with a post to be pulled, and

(d) power means operatively connected to the extensible and puller frame assemblies and being selectively operable to effect movement of the assemblies whereby the extensible frame assembly can be first moved into its ground surface engaging position to bear the force of pulling a post from the ground and thereafter the puller frame assembly can be moved upwardly with respect to the mast and thus pull a post from the ground when the puller frame assembly is engaged with the post.

2. An attachment for a self-propelled vehicle for use in pulling posts from the ground as defined in claim 1 wherein the mast comprises:

a pair of vertically-disposed H-beam sections connected in spaced substantially parallel relation by crossbracing, the webs of the H-beam sections being dis posed in opposed substantially parallel relation thereby providing a pair of opposed inner guide channels and a pair of outer guide channels on the mast, the puller frame assembly being positioned between the H-beam sections with outer side portions thereof being received in the inner guide channels which guide the puller frame assembly in its up and down movement with respect to the mast.

3. An attachment for a self-propelled vehicle for use in pulling posts as defined in claim 2 wherein the extensible frame assembly comprises a U-shaped frame having a horizontal portion and an opposed pair of upwardly-extending arm portions at the ends of the horizontal portion and a pressure foot pivotally secured to the horizontal portion of the U-shaped frame and depending therefrom,

the upwardly-extending arm portions being received in the outer guide channels which guide the extensible frame assembly in its movement from its retracted to its extended position and the pressure foot resting on the ground surface when the extensible frame assembly is in its ground-engaging position.

4. An attachment for a self-propelled vehicle for use in pulling posts from the ground comprising:

(a) a mast having abutment means thereon and being constructed and arranged to be supported on a vehicle with its lower end above the level of the ground on which the vehicle is supported,

(b) a puller frame assembly having engagement means thereon for effecting detachable engagement thereof with a post to be pulled from the ground and being 7 arranged on the mast for longitudinal movement relative thereto, the puller frame assembly normally being positioned against the abutment means of the mast and movable away therefrom when effecting pulling of a post from the ground,

() an extensible frame assembly on the mast arranged for longitudinal movement relative thereto from a retracted position above the ground surface to an extended ground-engaging position, and

(d) power means operatively connected to the puller and extensible frame assemblies and being selectively operable to effect movement of the extensible frame assembly from its retracted to its ground-engaging position and vice-versa and to effect movement of the puller frame assembly away from the abutment means of the mast and vice-versa, the puller frame assembly when engaged with a post and being moved away from the abutment means causing the post to be pulled from the ground and the extensible frame assembly when in its ground-engaging position bearing the force of pulling the post from the ground.

5. An attachment for a self-propelled vehicle for use in pulling posts from the ground as defined in claim 4 wherein:

the power means comprises a hydraulic cylinder and piston unit disposed between the puller and extensible frame assemblies, the opposite ends of the cylinder of the unit arranged to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure such that fluid under pressure may be introduced into either end thereof and apply pressure on either side of the piston of the unit, a piston rod connected to the piston and extending upwardly from the cylinder and connected to the puller frame assembly and the lower end of the cylinder being secured to the extensible frame assembly whereby when fluid under pressure is introduced into the lower end of the cylinder, the cylinder will move downwardly, thus causing the extensible frame assembly to move downwardly into its ground-engaging position and when the extensible frame assembly is in contact with the ground and further fluid under pressure is introduced into the lower end of the cylinder the piston, together with the piston rod, will then move upwardly, thus moving the puller frame assembly upwardly, and whereby when the puller frame assembly is in a raised upward position and fluid is introduced into the upper end of the cylinder, the piston and piston rod will move downwardly causing the puller frame assembly to move downwardly until its abuts the abutment means, and thereafter, upon the further introduction of fluid into the upper end of the cylinder, the cylinder will move upwardly, thus causing the extensible frame assembly to move to its retracted position above the ground surface.

6. An attachment for a self-propelled vehicle for use in pulling posts from the ground comprising:

(a) an elongated mast constructed and arranged to be vertically supported on a vehicle with its lower end spaced above the ground surface on which the vehicle is supported,

(b) an extensible frame assembly arranged on the mast for movement from a normally retracted position above the ground surface to an extended ground surface-engaging position,

(c) a puller frame assembly arranged on the mast for movement up and down with respect thereto, the puller frame assembly having engagement means thereon for effecting detachable engagement thereof with a post to be pulled, and

(d) a common power means operatively connected to the puller and extensible frame assemblies which is constructed and arranged to first move the extensible frame assembly into its ground-engaging position when it is desired to pull a post from the ground and then move the puller frame assembly upwardly with respect to the mast and thus pull a post from the ground when the puller frame assembly is engaged with the post, and to first move the puller frame assembly downwardly with respect to the mast and then move the extensible frame assembly to its retracted position.

7. An attachment for a vehicle for use in pulling posts from the ground as defined in claim 6 wherein the common power means comprises a hydraulic cylinder and piston unit having a piston rod operatively connected with the puller frame assembly and having a cylinder opera tively connected to the extensible frame assembly.

8. An apparatus for pulling a post from the ground comprising:

(a) a self-propelled vehicle having a chassis and front and rear wheels,

(b) a vertically-elongated mast mounted on the vehicle, the lower end of the mast being located above the level of the ground on which the vehicle is supported,

(c) a puller frame assembly supported by the mast, the puller frame assembly being movable up and down with respect to the mast and including engagement means thereon for effecting detachable engagement thereof with a post to be pulled,

(d) an extensible frame assembly adjacent the lower end of the mast, the extensible frame assembly being normally raised above the ground surface and extensible from its normal position to an extended groundengaging position, and

(e) power means operatively connected to the puller and extensible frame assemblies, the power means being selectively actuable to apply a moving force to the puller frame assembly and an oppositely-directed moving force to the extensible frame assembly for causing the extensible frame assembly to move from its normal position to its ground-engaging position,

and for causing the puller frame assembly to move upwardly with respect to the main frame structure and thus pull a post from the ground when the slide frame assembly is engaged with a post.

9. An apparatus for pulling posts from the ground comprising:

(a) a vehicle having a chassis and wheels,

(b) a slide structure movable crosswise of the vehicle intermediate its ends,

(0) a vertical mast supported on one end of the slide structure with its lower end being at a level above the ground surface on which the vehicle is supported,

(d) extensible means arranged on the lower end of the mast for movement from a normally retracted position above the ground surface to an extended ground surface-engaging position,

(e) puller means arranged on the mast for movement up and down relative thereto, and

(f) power means operatively connected to the extensible and puller means to effect movement of the extensible and puller means.

10. An apparatus for pulling posts comprising:

(a) a self-propelled vehicle having a chassis and front and rear wheels,

(b) a slide structure suspended from the chassis between the front and rear wheels for movement in a direction crosswise of the chassis,

(c) means for moving the slide structure from a retracted to an extended position,

((1) the slide structure having a vertical mast supported thereon with the lower end of the mast being at a level above the ground on which the vehicle is sup ported, the mast being positioned between the front and rear wheels of the vehicle close in to the side of the vehicle when the slide is retracted and moved outwardly away from the chassis of the vehicle as the slide structure moves toward its extended position,

(e) puller means supported by the mast for movement up and down relative thereto, and

(f) means operatively connected to the puller means for effecting movement thereof.

11. An apparatus for pulling posts as defined in claim 10 including:

extensible means arranged on the mast for movement from a normally retracted position above the ground to an extended ground-engaging position, and wherein the last-named means comprises a common power means operatively connected to the puller means and to the extensible means to selectively effect movement of both.

12. A self-propelled post puller comprising:

(a) a self-propelled tractor having a chassis,

(b) a frame structure detachably secured to the chassis,

(c) a slide structure reciprocally supported by the frame structure for movement laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the chassis,

((1) means operatively connected to the slide structure to effect movement thereof,

(e) a vertical mast supported on one end of the slide structure for movement therewith, the lower end of the mast being at a level above the ground surface on which the vehicle is supported,

(f) an extensible frame assembly adjacent the lower end of the mast, the extensible frame assembly being normally raised above the ground surface in a transporting position and extensible from its normal position to an extended ground-engaging position to bear the force of pulling a post from the ground,

(g) a puller frame assembly supported by the mast, the puller frame assembly being movable up with respect to the mast and having engagement means thereon for effecting detachable engagement thereof with a post to be pulled, and

(h) a common power means operatively connected to the puller and extensible frame assemblies which is constructed and arranged to first move the extensible frame assembly into its ground-engaging position when it is desired to pull a post from the ground and then move the puller frame assembly upwardly with respect to the mast and thus pull a post from the ground when the puller frame assembly is engaged with a post.

13. An attachment for a self-propelled vehicle for use in pulling posts from the ground comprising:

(a) a frame structure having means for detachably securing it to the chassis of a self-propelled vehicle,

(b) a slide structure reciprocally supported by the frame structure for movement laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the chassis when the frame structure is secured thereto,

(0) means operatively connected to the slide structure to effect movement thereof,

(d) a vertical mast supported on one end of the slide structure for movement therewith and with' its lower end being at a level above the ground surface on which the vehicle is supported,

(e) puller means supported by the mast for movement up and down relative thereto, and

(f) means operatively connected to the puller means for effecting movement thereof.

14. An attachment for a self-propelled vehicle for use in pulling posts from the ground as defined in claim 13 wherein the frame structure includes a pair of oppositelydisposed slide rails suspended beneath and extending laterally at a right angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the chassis when the frame is secured thereto and a pair of guide rails positioned above the slide rails, the slide structure being supported on the slide rails for movement therealong and guided in its movement by the guide rails.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,634,092 4/1953 Lindquist 254-29 2,657,010 10/1953 Sabin 25429 3,129,924 4/1964 Froh 254-29 3,329,401 7/1967 Becker 254-29 3,355,146 1/1967 Ashworth 254-29 ROBERT C. RIORDON, Primary Examiner D. R. MELTON, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 254--133 

